Colorado is known for its beer, and one brand of it in particular. Yet the state enjoys a reputation among suds connoisseurs for its boutique brands, as well. At the recent Brewers Association World Beer Cup held in San Diego, 22 of Colorado’s top brews received honors. Blue Moon, CB & Potts, Flying Dog, Kannah Creek, Left Hand, and Odell all received gold medals in various categories.

If you’ve ever sampled the famous brews of Germany – a country that is to beer what the Vatican is to Catholicism – you might have been impressed with the quality and consistency, but left a little bored and thirsty for something different. That’s because traditional breweries are bound by history and, in the case of Germany’s most famous brands, the law, to making beer the exact same way they have for centuries.

American beer, on the other hand, is a more democratic and diverse affair. In states like Colorado where independence is often prized above all else, it’s not uncommon to see brands such as Milk Stout (sweet stout) and Java the Hut (coffee flavored), both of which took home the gold at the World Beer Cup.

Denverism and Denver Magazine congratulates all of Colorado’s brewers for making the world of beer intoxicatingly refreshing.